Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted study abroad and international student exchange programs. During the pandemic, study abroad programs were canceled or modified to remain in compliance with pandemic safety measures. Although COVID-19 is no longer considered a global health emergency, the pandemic will likely have long-term ramification that continue to reshape study abroad and international exchange. To explore the impacts of the pandemic on study abroad and international exchange, this study asks two questions. How did the pandemic impact study abroad and international student exchange by social context, if at all? And, how did pandemic responses and subsequent changes to study abroad and international exchange differ, based on social context? To explore these research questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with undergraduate students as well as university faculty and administrators in research projects at Johannes Kepler University (JKU) in Austria (n = 17), the University of EducaMon Schwäbisch Gmünd (PHSG) in Germany (n = 9), and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in the USA (n = 11). Key themes emerging from initial interviews include how uncertainty impacted student decision-making related to study abroad, the emergence of digitalization and e-learning opportunities, as well as flexible models of study abroad and international exchange. Findings will inform universities, administrators, and other stakeholders of new, emerging trends related to study abroad and international exchange that have arisen following the pandemic.
Presenters
Anna HammersmithAssociate Professor, Sociology, Grand Valley State University, Michigan, United States Petra Aigner
Associate Professor, Sociology, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Study Abroad, International Education, COVID-19, Digitalization, Student Exchange
